On this page we tell you about current events, and give information about what you can see in our main exhibitions, as well as future events.
Go to Permanent Exhibitions
Go to Future Exhibitions
Current Events
U3A Photography Exhibition – 31st May to 8th July 2017
A new exhibition has opened in the Your Space Gallery at Nantwich Museum running until Saturday 8 July. U3A Photography is an exhibition of the excellent work of the Crewe & Nantwich U3A Photography Group and an opportunity to be inspired by a wide range of subjects.
The group meets regularly in order to share and hone their photographic skills and get the most out of taking photographs. There is a program of projects and occasional outings to guide and encourage members to take and improve their photographs.
Admission to the museum and exhibition is free.
Roman Treasures of Cheshire – Tuesday 6th June 2017 to Saturday 8th July 2017
An exhibition in the Millennium Gallery of Roman hoards discovered in Cheshire. The coins and jewellery were buried for safe keeping nearly 2,000 years ago, but their owners never returned for them.
The Malpas Hoard consists of 35 coins struck before the conquest of Britain and possibly associated with the capture of Caratacus, leader of the Catuvallani tribe.
The Knutsford Hoard involves 103 coins, three brooches and two finger rings ranging in date from 32 BC to AD 180-200.
The hoards provide evidence of the way of life of local people in the early Roman period with possible links to the Cheshire salt fields and coastal trading centres.
There are also Roman outfits for children to try and a quiz.
The Hoard was jointly purchased by Congleton Museum and Liverpool Museum and was with thanks to support from HLF.
SkoolzFest – Tuesday 6th June 2017 to Saturday 8th July 2017
Come and visit the Millennium Gallery to see the work that we have on display, which is all linked to the theme ‘New Beginnings’.
Another busy day is expected in Nantwich on Saturday 1st July 2017 when it stages the annual Fete and Skoolzfest. The event is a collaboration between the Nantwich Education Partnership which embraces the local schools, and St Marys Church working with the local community.
The Partnership organises the Skoolzfest , which celebrates the achievements and abilities of all the local children. In the town square there will be a covered stage from which a wide range of musical performances will be given. This includes the Big Sing when a large number of children from different primary schools form a community choir. Other primary school singing and orchestral performances will fill the morning, whilst the afternoon sees the now traditional Battle of the Bands, when performers from the secondary schools take the stage in an X factor style competition. Last year the standard was so high that several performers were hired for other gigs!
Permanent Exhibitions
The Battle of Nantwich
Learn about the Battle of Nantwich in our display in the main gallery.
Cheese
The Cheese Room is a permanent exhibition featuring the cheese-making industry of South Cheshire. You can find out more how cheese and butter was made and we have an interesting collection of dairy equipment donated by local farmers.
There’s more about cheese making in South Cheshire here.
Clocks
Nantwich has been an important centre for clockmaking, and the museum has catalogued as many Nantwich clocks as possible. Come and see our collection of grandfather clocks, which including clocks by William Masey, Gabriel Smith and James Topham. By contrast, also don’t forget to visit Nantwich’s Millennium Clock. This celebrates the history of Nantwich and is just outside the museum.
The Great Fire of Nantwich
Learn about the Great Fire of Nantwich in 1583 – which burned for 20 days, destroying 150 houses, inns and other buildings. See our collection of old fire fighting equipment and learn more about how fires were put out in the past. There’s more about the Great Fire of Nantwich here.
Roman Artifacts
Did you know the Romans came to Nantwich? The Roman settlement in the town was established in the 2nd century AD and existed for about 150 years.
Salt making tools, pottery for serving food and decoration, other tools such as an adze hammer used for working wood, a variety of household goods and even a 2,000 year old loo seat can be seen. Craftsmen and farmers were active in the area and a reaping hook is displayed which would have been used to harvest locally grown cereals and vegetables.
We also have an ancient gold “snake” ring, and information about Roman roads in the area.
Nantwich Salt Making and the Salt Ship
Find out how this 700 year old tree was important in salt making! There’s more about salt making in Nantwich here.
Paintings
We are fortunate to own many fascinating old pictures, which tell us more about life in Nantwich years ago. There’s more about our art collection here.
Shoes and Clothing
Learn more about the shoe and clothing industries, and why they eventually declined.
Future Events
Guided Walks – 6th July, 2nd August, and 30th September 2017
Barrie, our friendly and knowledgeable guide, is leading drop in guided walks of Nantwich on Thursday, 6th July 2017 at 2p.m., Saturday, 2nd September 2017 at 11a.m. and Saturday, 30th Sep at 11am. The cost is just £3, and £2 for members and children. The walk takes approximately 90 minutes.
The River Weaver – a meander through time – 12th July 2017 to 9th September 2017
Our major summer exhibition, which is curated by the Nantwich Museum Research Group, this year looks at the River Weaver. There’s far more to this river than you might think! There will also be an exhibition Drawn from the River in the Your Space gallery to complement the main exhibition.
Click here to download a flyer
Guided Riverside Walks – 15th July, 3rd August, and 12th August 2017
As part of our major summer exhibition, there will be Guided Riverside Walks on Saturday 15th July 2017, Thursday 3rd August 2017, and Saturday 12th August 2017.
The duration will be round 1½ hours. Meet at the museum 10.30am.
Tickets cost just £3.00 per person.
Family Fun Day – Saturday 29th July 2017
Interactive Science for all!
There will be a FREE Drop In session on Saturday, 29th July 2017 from 10.30am – 3.30pm.
The quality of the water in rivers impacts on humans and wildlife – good water quality makes for healthy people and a greater diversity of wildlife.
Museum staff and volunteers are partnering with Keele University Sustainability Hub to run drop-in ‘Eco Detectives’ sessions for families and small groups. The sessions will investigate the quality of the water in the River Weaver and involve a 10 minute walk from the Museum to the River Weaver, where participants will take samples of river water which they will analyse back at the Museum to determine pH and oxygen levels and consider the impact of pollution and oxygen on aquatic life.
The process will be completed in about an hour. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Large groups should contact the Museum in advance.
River Weaver – Themed Events and Talks:
What’s in the Water? – Saturday 22nd July 2017
On Saturday 22 July from 10.45am to 14.30pm, with a lunch break (lunch not included) there will be a series of talks considering the River Weaver as a source of water, its quality and sewage treatment
today.
Tickets: £5.00 (Museum Members £4.00)
Single session (morning or afternoon): £3.50 (Museum Members £2.50)
Wildlife and Aliens – Saturday 5th August 2017
On Saturday 5th August from 10.45am to 14.30pm, with a lunch break (lunch not included) there will be a series of talks considering the wildlife of the river including alien species.
Tickets: £5.00 (Museum Members £4.00)
Single session (morning or afternoon): £3.50 (Museum Members £2.50)
When Turner Came to Town – Thursday 31st August 2017
On Thursday 31 August at 3.00pm, we will look at when the artist, J M W Turner, came to Nantwich.
Tickets: £3.50 (Museum Members £2.50).
Children’s Workshops – 9th & 10th August and 23rd & 24th August 2017
Also as part of our major summer exhibition, there will be themed Children’s Workshops exploring our theme of the River Weaver.
Drop in between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm on Wednesday 9th, Thursday 10th, Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th August 2017.
The cost is just £2.00 per child (who must be accompanied). Large groups are requested to book
in advance.
Performing Bodies – 12th September 2017 to 21st October 2017
Exhibition in the Your Space gallery.
Nantwich Camera Club – 13th September 2017 to 11th November 2017
Their annual exhibition of recent photographic work, by club members, will be in Millennium Gallery.
Kaleidoscope 3 Gordon Lancaster – 31st October 2017 to 6th January 2018
An exhibition of paintings by Gordon Lancaster in the Your Space gallery.
Kay Bayliss – 15th November 2017 to 20th January 2018
Kay’s exhibition in the Millennium Gallery is called Story to Tell.
Other temporary displays around the Museum
There are various other temporary displays around the Museum. They include objects from the Museum’s collections as well as artefacts loaned from other individuals. A regular Collection Highlight of the Month display is located in the Millennium Gallery, highlighting objects from the Museum’s reserve collection.
Putting on an exhibition
If you are interested in exhibiting at the Museum, guidelines and a proposal form can be downloaded below:
Exhibition Guidelines
Alternatively call into the Museum for information or contact education@nantwichmuseum.org.uk